Musical forms are the structures that organize a piece of music, helping to define its overall shape and flow. Common forms include sonata, binary, and ternary, each with distinct characteristics. For example, the ternary form consists of three sections, typically labeled as A-B-A, where the first and last sections are similar, and the middle section contrasts with them. These forms guide composers in developing their ideas and themes. Understanding musical forms allows listeners to appreciate the organization and creativity behind a composition. Forms can also evolve, leading to more complex structures like rondo or theme and variations, enriching the musical experience.